A local football club will play against a team of solely transgender women in a “world first”.
Dulwich Hamlet FC Women is competing against TRUK United FC Women (Trans Radio UK) on 31 March in what has been described as “a historic occasion.”
TRUK United’s squad will consist of mainly transgender women however non-binary and cisgender players will also be part of the match.
The players on the pitch for TRUK United will be solely trans women at one point during the match, which will be a world first.
TRUK founder, Lucy Clark says the match, taking place at Dulwich’s Champion Hill, will “make history.”
The game will be played on Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual event dedicated to “celebrating transgender people” and will raise funds for TRUK Listens, a helpline “for the trans community run by the trans community.”
“31st March is an important date for the trans community and is the perfect day for this important match,” says Lucy, “not only because it is a first and is making history, but will also show, that despite all the anti-trans negativity that seems to be everywhere, there is a place for transgender and non-binary people in sport.”
“Football is for all,” she added.
TRUK United has several different teams and plays charity and friendly matches, besides entering tournaments and cup competitions around the UK and beyond.
Their goals are to “provide safe, fun and inclusive football” and “raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues.
TRUK’s last fixture was played with their fully inclusive team against Portsmouth’s Friends Fighting Cancer in September last year, they lost 3-6.
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In 2018, Lucy Clark was the first open transgender football referee in the world.
Many people contacted her saying they “were excluded and unable to participate in a sport they loved because of who they were,” she said.
This led to the creation of TRUK United in January 2021 to “connect the trans community” and support TRUK Listens, a free telephone helpline and counselling service for the trans community.
“TRUK United FC are a fully inclusive team, open to everyone, but depending on our opponents’ certain restrictions may apply,” said Lucy.
“We are always looking for new people to join our team.”
Both TRUK United FC and TRUK Listens sprung from Trans Radio UK, a dedicated radio station for transgender people.
The volunteer-run station was founded by Lucy and Avril Clark as a way to support the trans community.
It is the only trans radio station in the UK, although they have been told it is the only one in the world and is listened to and followed globally.
“Our mission here at Trans Radio UK is very simple: to actively engage with the worldwide Trans (and allies including all of the LGBTQIA+) individuals and communities by the power of music and entertainment using radio shows with community presenters, featuring community artists and musicians as well as mainstream artists,” said Lucy.
Tickets for the game start at £4.00 for adults and under 13s are free. Plus there is the option to give a donation with the ticket.
To see history being made you can purchase your tickets for the match against Dulwich Hamlet here: https://www.seetickets.com/event/dulwich-hamlet-wfc-v-truk-united-fundraiser-/champion-hill-stadium/2290478.
Kick off is at 19:30 on 31 March.